Relais Corte Rodeschi

We love novelty as much as anyone, but the classic Tuscan villa hotel experience is one that isn’t exactly crying out to be reinvented. Relais Corte Rodeschi, in the hilly countryside outside of Lucca, is as classic an example as they come: an 18th-century aristocratic villa and a 19th-century farmhouse set on a bucolic estate, all converted into a 15-room luxury boutique hotel.

The rooms are divided between the two buildings, the more ornate villa and the slightly more rustic farmhouse. The differences are apparent, but not vast, and come down mostly to whether you prefer a rough timbered ceiling or an ornate frescoed one. While the rooms are all different, they’re all unified by a coordinated color palette and a touch of contemporary style. And along with the usual low-tech comforts are some modern ones, like silent air conditioning and fast wi-fi.

There’s a lovely outdoor pool, as well as a daily breakfast service and a tranquil garden. Beyond that, you’ll find Corte Redeschi less a fortress and more a base camp for your Tuscan explorations — Lucca and the coast are within easy reach, and Pisa, home to the nearest airport, not much farther away.